“Huh? What are you talking about? Why should I kiss dating goodbye? Are you nuts? Shouldn’t this be the age when we go out for as many dates as possible and as often as we like to see who we are compatible with? You are a fool, Ern Sheong, for trying to tell me to stop dating. It would never happen.”

I recently read a thought-changing and mind-renewing book by Joshua Harris entitled “I Kissed Dating Goodbye.” It encourages us to look beyond dating for the fulfillment of the moment and instead exhorts that we withhold the desire to date until the day we are ready for a long-term commitment. A sentence from the book sums up the entire message: ‘The joy of intimacy is the reward of commitment.’

“Why?” you ask. Simply because being with someone now without consideration of commitment is actually a very selfish act as we only gratify ourselves and not the needs of the other person as well. When commitment is not in the equation, the relationship is only waiting for the end to come as there is no lasting commitment.

Another point is that God already has better plans in store for us. He wants us to focus on Him first and not be distracted by dating. He wants us to serve Him whole-heartedly first instead of dwelling on thoughts of whether this girl or guy likes us or not. When the right time comes, God will reveal someone to us, once we are ready for commitment.

That is just a gist of what the book is trying to tell us. I encourage you (unless you are already married) to pick up a copy of this book today at major Christian bookstores. If you were wondering, the writer of this book did indeed get married to his dream sweetheart. That is living proof that you will not be left as a single for the rest of your lives despite reading this book!